COSTA DEL SOL A V COMBINED COLLEGES CC
Or . . . the game that nearly wasn’t! By Saturday the pitch had dried out nicely after last weekend’s rains. Dry yet soft underfoot. Perfect.
By the time the groundsman discovered that an overnight breakage to a water pipe had left a good part of the outfield under water, both teams were on their way with just 90 minutes to start time. Thanks to great mopping up efforts by David and his team the game got under way just half an hour late, albeit with a very soggy patch to one side.
Of course this patch had a magnetic attraction to the ball which was soon damp and as slippery as the cricketers proverbial bar of soap.This must have been the explanation for missed catches being like eggs that day – they came by the dozen.
Combined Colleges batted first and were disconcerted to find themselves three wickets down for 22 after 4 overs. It was looking good for Costa del Sol at this point but the new boys were to learn it is not so easy playing with the big boys
Nushan and Previn steadied the ship with a partnership of 79 lasting 13 overs. Nushan (55) and Azard (87 n.o.) were then instrumental in pushing Combined Colleges on to 227 for 6 at the end of their innings, assisted by no fewer than ten missed catching chances, a couple barely chances at all but mostly straight forward.
Costa del Sol’s batsmen were chasing nearly 8 runs an over. Brian’s bowling spell of 6 overs 0 wickets for 2 runs put them hopelessly behind the run rate. Only Phil (22) Tom (43) and Tony (22) managed double figures. Nushan’s spell of 6 overs, 4 wickets for 26 runs tore the heart out of the innings which ended on 135 for 7 despite Combined Colleges putting down two catches to bring the total to the round dozen.
Man of the match – Nushan.
Next week Costa del Sol B v Mijas Costa